Josh Liendo, Kylie Masse Lead Canadian Team for World Short Course Championships
A trio of Olympic medallists – Kylie Masse, Taylor Ruck and Josh Liendo – will headline a 21-athlete team that will represent Canada at the 2026 World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m), December 1-6 in Beijing, China. The squad features 10 women and 11 men from across the country, bringing together a mix of Olympic veterans, established international performers and emerging Canadian talent for six days of racing against the top swimmers on the planet.
The Canadian contingent is highlighted by some of the country’s most experienced international swimmers that includes 14 Olympians. Five-time Olympic medallist Kylie Masse (Toronto), a winner of 11 World Championship short-course medals, will return to competition for the first time since capturing gold and silver at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Masse’s 50m backstroke victory this summer marked the 11th Commonwealth Games medal of her career, making her Canada’s most decorated swimmer in Commonwealth Games history. The result also further cemented her status as Canada’s most decorated swimmer, having won a medal at every World Championships and major Games she has competed at since 2015.
Taylor Ruck, a winner of four Olympic medals, will look to continue her sizzling stretch in the pool this summer. A three-time Olympian from Kelowna, B.C., Ruck has won seven World Championships short course medals throughout her illustrious career and made five trips to the Pan Pacific Champinships podium this summer, bringing her career total to 10 medals.
Toronto’s Josh Liendo also returns to competitive action for the first time since delivering an unforgettable performance at the Commonwealth Games where he successfully defended his gold medal in the men’s 100-metre butterfly in record time. A silver medallist in the 100m butterfly at the 2024 Olympics, Liendo won a gold and two bronze medals at the 2021 World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m).
Canada’s big three will be amongst 12 athletes on the squad who have all climbed onto short course World Championships podiums. Others include: Javier Acevedo (Toronto); Finlay Knox (Okotoks, Alta.); Ruslan Gaziev (Toronto); Yuri Kisil (Calgary); Blake Tierney (Saskatoon); Sophie Angus; Mary-Sophie Harvey (Montreal); and Ingrid Wilm (Calgary).
“We have a strong team, with many veteran international medallists, supported by an experienced coaching staff,” said Iain McDonald, head coach. “It’s an excellent opportunity to race world class competitors both in individual and relay events as we start a critical year in our preparation for the 2028 Olympics.”
Four young Canucks loaded with potential will seize the opportunity to dive into their first senior World Championship team. The rookies include Julie Brousseau (Ottawa); Summer Cardwell; Apollo Hess (Lethbridge, Alta.); and Ben Loewen (Toronto).
“The World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) have become a well-established and highly competitive event, and we’re thrilled with the team that will represent Canada in Beijing. Our athletes will have the opportunity to race at the iconic Beijing National Aquatics Centre, known as the Water Cube, which hosted the 2008 Olympic Games,” said John Atkinson, high performance director and national coach, Swimming Canada.
“These Championships provide an excellent racing opportunity as our swimmers transition into the 2027 long-course season. The experience in Beijing will help set the stage for our April selection trials in Victoria, where athletes will compete for opportunities to represent Canada at the major championships and Games of 2027.”
Team Canada will arrive in Beijing on November 27 before completing final preparations from November 28-30.
Swimming Canada’s World Aquatics Swimming Championship (25m) Team:
SWIMMERS POOL – NAGEURS
| Name / nom | Club / club | Personal Coach / Entraineur |
| WOMEN | ||
| Sophie ANGUS | HPC Ontario | Ryan Mallette |
| Julie BROUSSEAU | Nepean Kanata Swim Club | Anthony Nesty |
| Summer CARDWELL | Pointe Claire Swim Club | Stephanie Junker |
| Ella COSGROVE | Unattached Canada | Noah Yanchulis |
| Sarah FOURNIER | Club Aquatique Montreal | Marc-Andre Pelletier |
| Mary-Sophie HARVEY | Club Aquatique Montreal | Greg Arkhurst |
| Alexanne LEPAGE | University of Calgary Swim Club | Mike Blondal |
| Kylie MASSE | Toronto Swim Club | |
| Taylor RUCK | HPC Vancouver | Scott Talbot |
| Ingrid WILM | HPC Vancouver / Cascade Swim Club | Scott Talbot |
| MEN | ||
| Javier ACEVEDO | HPC Ontario | Ryan Mallette |
| Raben DOMMANN | HPC Vancouver | Scott Talbot |
| Ruslan GAZIEV | Unattached Canada | Brian Schrader |
| Apollo HESS | HPC Ontario | Ryan Mallette |
| Tristan JANKOVICS | Royal City Aquatics | Norm Wright |
| Aiden KIRK | HPC Vancouver / Kelowna Aquajets | Scott Talbot |
| Yuri KISIL | UBC Thunderbirds | Derrick Schoof |
| Finlay KNOX | HPC Vancouver / Okotoks Mavericks | Scott Talbot |
| Josh LIENDO | North York Aquatic Club | |
| Benjamin LOEWEN | HPC Vancouver / Toronto Swim Club | Scott Talbot |
| Blake TIERNEY | HPC Vancouver / Saskatoon Goldfins | Scott Talbot |
TEAM STAFF – PERSONNEL
| Role / rôle | Name / nom |
| TEAM LEADER – chef d’équipe | John Atkinson |
| HEAD COACH – entraîneur chef | Iain McDonald |
| TEAM MANAGER – gerant d’equipe | Jan Hanan |
| TEAM COACH – entraîneur | Greg Arkhurst |
| TEAM COACH – entraîneur | Mandy Bell |
| TEAM COACH – entraîneur | Ryan Mallette |
| TEAM COACH – entraîneur | Scott Talbot |
| MASSAGE THERAPIST – massothérapeute inscrite | Remo Bucci |
| MASSAGE THERAPIST – massothérapeute inscrite | Jeanette Dobmeier |
| PHYSIOTHERAPIST – physiothérapeute | Ron O’Hare |
| PHYSICIAN – médecin |
Rob Brunelle |
| PERFORMANCE SCIENTIST – scientifique de la performance | Tom Vandenbogaerde |
| RACE ANALYSIS – analyse de course | Kayla Bugeya Miller |
| TEAM MEDIA – médias d’équipe | Simone Cseplo |
| TEAM MEDIA – médias d’équipe | Chris Dornan |